Blog
As adults, we all have obligations that require that we are prepared to start on time. Whether it’s for work or an appointment, we all have commitments that require us to be somewhere at a specific time ready to participate.
At the very least, being on time is a direct reflection of the respect that we have for whomever we have made the commitment to.
Therefore, it is very important that children learn at a very young age the importance of being on time.
In the Montessori environment, being on time is a critical component to providing children with the best opportunity for success.
Our morning work period begins at 8:30am. We ask that all children arrive no later than 9:00 am. Having a full class of students when the work period begins helps the community by maintaining consistency and establishing a routine.
Our morning work period is traditionally a 2½ to 3-hour block during which the children have the time and freedom to develop their concentration, play with friends and work with the Montessori materials.
The children know when to expect their friends and the teachers can plan their small group lessons with confidence that they will have full participation without the distraction and interruption of a tardy child.
A child arriving late to the classroom is akin to a member of the audience arriving at a theater after the everyone has settled into their seats and the performance has begun – only to be interrupted and distracted by the late arrived being escorted to their seats in the middle of the row by an usher with a flash light.
As children initially work with Montessori materials, such as the golden beads, their individual work soon turns into larger lessons and group work.
Establishing a consistent morning routine enables children to anticipate what is about to happen in the classroom improving their self-confidence which in turn better prepares them for the next stage of their learning experience (i.e. from Pre-Primary to Primary, Primary to Kindergarten, etc.).
Having raised two boys, I have first-hand experience with the challenge of getting ready for school each day. However, it is very important that you set your family up for success by establishing a consistent routine in the morning. A routine that includes arriving to school each day no later than 9 am!
Remember: at the Montessori School of Silicon Valley we believe in “Children First, Always”.
-Colleen